How Long Is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with DLC? A Deep Dive into Geralt’s Epic Journey
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So, you’re itching to dive into the world of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and all its glorious downloadable content (DLC)? Excellent choice! But a common question arises: Just how much of your life will this monster-slaying adventure consume? The short answer is that completing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt with all DLC can take anywhere from 100 to 200+ hours, depending on your playstyle and completionist tendencies. A rushed playthrough of the main story and DLCs will land you around the 100-hour mark, while a more leisurely and completionist run, exploring every nook and cranny, will likely push you well beyond 150 hours, potentially even surpassing 200. Get ready for a long and memorable journey!
Breaking Down the Witcher 3 Playtime: A Detailed Look
To provide a more granular estimate, let’s break down the approximate playtime for each component of the game:
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (Main Story): 50-60 hours (Main story only)
- Hearts of Stone DLC: 10-20 hours
- Blood and Wine DLC: 30-50 hours
Adding these estimates together, a “standard” playthrough covering the main story and both expansions can easily span 90-130 hours.
Factors Influencing Playtime
Several factors can significantly impact your total playtime:
- Difficulty Level: A higher difficulty will likely increase playtime as you spend more time strategizing and battling enemies.
- Playstyle: Do you rush through the main quests, or are you a completionist who wants to explore every side quest, contract, and point of interest?
- Gwent Enthusiast: If you get hooked on Gwent, the in-game card game, you could easily spend dozens of extra hours building your deck and challenging opponents.
- Exploration: The Witcher 3’s world is vast and beautiful. If you take your time to explore, you’ll naturally spend more time playing.
- Cutscene Skipping: Some players skip cutscenes to speed up their playthrough, while others enjoy the story and character development.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Witcher 3 Playtime
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify how long you can expect to spend in the world of The Witcher:
1. How long is the Witcher 3 main story without DLC?
The main story of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt typically takes around 50-60 hours to complete. This estimate focuses primarily on the main quests and doesn’t include side quests, contracts, or exploration.
2. How long is Hearts of Stone DLC?
Hearts of Stone usually takes 10-20 hours to complete. This timeframe varies based on whether you’re focusing on the main story or aiming for 100% completion, including all side quests and contracts.
3. How long is Blood and Wine DLC?
Blood and Wine is the larger of the two expansions and generally takes 30-50 hours to complete. The playtime depends on whether you rush through the main story or explore all the new region of Toussaint has to offer.
4. What is the total playtime for Witcher 3 with all DLC for completionists?
A completionist run, including all main quests, side quests, contracts, points of interest, and Gwent cards, can easily take 150-200+ hours. Some players have even reported spending over 250 hours to achieve 100% completion.
5. Should I play Hearts of Stone before Blood and Wine?
Yes, the recommended order is to play Hearts of Stone before Blood and Wine. This is the order in which they were released, and it ensures a smoother progression in terms of story and character development.
6. What level should I be for Hearts of Stone?
It’s recommended to be around level 30 before starting Hearts of Stone. This will ensure you’re adequately prepared for the challenges and enemies you’ll encounter.
7. What level should I be for Blood and Wine?
Blood and Wine is designed for players around level 35 or higher. The enemies and quests in Toussaint are more challenging, so it’s best to be well-equipped and experienced before venturing into this new region.
8. Does the Witcher 3 GOTY edition include all DLC?
Yes, the Game of the Year (GOTY) edition of The Witcher 3 includes the base game and both the Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine expansions, along with all previously released DLC and updates.
9. Is Blood and Wine longer than the base game?
No, Blood and Wine is not longer than the base game. The base game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, takes around 50-60 hours for a main story playthrough, while Blood and Wine typically takes 30-50 hours.
10. Can I play the DLC before finishing the main story?
While possible, it’s generally recommended to complete the main story before starting Blood and Wine. Hearts of Stone can be played before the end of the main story, but it fits thematically better after the main storyline is resolved. Blood and Wine is set after the events of the main game and acts as a proper epilogue to Geralt’s journey.
11. How big is the Witcher 3 game with DLC?
The Witcher 3 with both DLCs takes up approximately 32GB of storage space. This includes both Expansions and DLCs. The base game is roughly 16GB of data and it doesn’t include the Expansions and DLCs.
12. Is the Witcher 3 DLC worth it?
Absolutely! Both Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine are considered some of the best DLCs ever made. They offer compelling stories, new characters, and significant additions to the game world, making them well worth the investment.
13. What order should I play the Witcher 3?
The recommended order is to play the base game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, followed by the Hearts of Stone DLC, and then the Blood and Wine DLC. This ensures a smooth story progression and an appropriate difficulty curve.
14. What is the max level in Witcher 3?
With both expansions, the maximum level in The Witcher 3 is 100. However, most players will likely finish the game and DLCs at a level around 50-60.
15. What can you do after beating Witcher 3?
After completing the main story, you can explore any remaining side quests, monster contracts, and points of interest. Additionally, you can start a New Game+ adventure to experience the game again with your character’s level, skills, and equipment carried over. You can always enjoy more Gwent, too! Check out resources from organizations like the Games Learning Society to understand how games like The Witcher 3 impact learning and engagement. Or visit GamesLearningSociety.org to find out more.
Embracing the Witcher 3 Experience
Ultimately, the exact length of your Witcher 3 journey is up to you. Whether you’re a speedrunner or a completionist, the game offers a rich and rewarding experience that can last for dozens or even hundreds of hours. So, grab your silver sword, saddle up Roach, and prepare to lose yourself in the immersive world of Geralt of Rivia. You won’t regret it!